Window operator



June 7,1927. 1,631,490

F. G. KITCHIN WINDOW OPERATOR Filed Jan. 10. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F \Xx o g o O J5\O O La F. G. KITCHIN WINDOW OPERATGR June 7, 1927.

Filed Jan. 10. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 7, I927.

FRANK G. KITCHIN, OF ANNE WINDOW ARUNDEL COUNTY, MARYLAND.

OPERATOR.

Application filed January 10, 1927, Serial No. 160,044.

ll li'ijs'ihirention relates to sliding windows or doors and particularly to that type of closure for openings in which the closure member is housed or pocketed so as to be concealed or out of the way when not in use, and in which the depth of the housing is less than the corresponding dimension of the opening which is to be uncovered.

In the'present illustrative embodiment of 1 the invention the same is shown in connection with the rear quarter window of a closed body type of auto vehicle, that is to say, the .window opposite the rear seat, and which is located above the rear fender. In automobiles of this type the body is frequently undercut to form a recess for the fenders, leaving insuflicient room between the window sill and fender recess, to provide for a window housing deep enough to receive the window, when constructed as a single panel. It is consequently necessary to let part of the window project above the housing, occluding the window opening so that full advantage can not be taken of the same. It has also been proposed to construct the window as a plurality of panels, generally two, these being relatively slidably arran ed so as to lie side by side when retracted within the housing.

The present invention relates to windows of this latter type, and has for its object the provision of novel and improved means for operating the windows, or closing means for an opening.

In the drawings in which similar parts are designated in the several figures by the same character of reference, Fig. I is a front elevation showing part of the side of an autovehicle body equipped with a plural-panel window embodying the principles of the present invention.

Fig. II is a vertical cross section showing both of the panels extended to form a complete closure, theoperating means and a section through the window housing being also shown. 7

Fi III-is an edge view of the window pane s.

. Fig. IV is a transverse section taken above mechanism showthe plane of the operatin eing a section on ing the latter, the same%) line 44, Figure VIII.

Fig. V is a vertical section taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. IV.

Fig. VI is a sectional view of a detail of construction, showing one of the twin gear wheels in idle position with respect to the lower panel.

Fig. VII is a sectional view taken along the line 77, of Fig. VI.

Figs. VIII, IX and X are vertical sectional views showing the upper and lower panels in relation to the several operative positions of the latching pin.

. Referring now in detail to the several figures, the numeral 1 represents the side of an automobile body, having the window frame 2 which may be of any suitable construction but is preferably of E-shape as shown in Fig. VII, having inner and outer flanges 3 and 4' and a midrib 5,,forming spaced channels in which slide-the panels 6 and 7. The

panels are preferably provided, at least on their lateral edges, with channelled frames 8, 8 the end faces of saidframes being formed with a series of perforations 9 as shown .in Fig. III, performin the function of rack barsin conjunction with the operating gears 10 and 11.

Said gears are fixed to a common shaft 12 so as to move as a unit but the frames are so constructed that during substantially the en-' tire window closing or openin movement, except possibly at one intermediate point of interchange, only one of the rack bars is directly engaged by the corresponding gears, the upper and lower panels. each acting alternatively as a. pulling member for the other, accordingly as the panels are being raised or lowered.

The construction of the operating means will be best understood by interpolating at this point a partial explanation of its opera-' tion.

When the panels are both within the housing they lie side by side with the u per ends in line with the twin gears 10 an 11.

rot ate without catching hold of the rack bar. When the gears are turned, only the upper panel will be actuated, the lower panel remaining inactive until the panels reach the relative position shown in Fig. III.

The upper panel 6 is provided at itslower end with an inwardly directed ledge 14 adapted to engage an outwardly directed ledge 15 formed on the lower panel. Just. about the time when the perforations 9' of the rack bar 8 belonging to the upper panel are about to pass above the gear 10, the ledges 14 and 15 come into engagement so that the rack bar 8 is drawn upwardly directly by the rack bar 8'. This moves the slot 13 out of phase with the gear 11, so that the latter does catch hold of the rack bar 8 of the lower panel, starting to elevate the latter. It is obvious, however, that by this time, the lower end of the rack bar 8 will have reached the gear 10, so that no further upward movement of said rack bar is possible directly throughthe instrumentality of said gear, and that in the absence of further provisions the upper panel would ascend no'further, but the lower panel would merely rise to a position beside the upper panel through the agency of the gear 11.

However, means are provided, in the present instance, for automatically latching the panels together, on or about the time when one gear is about to relinquish the actuation of its associated rack bar, and the other gear is about to take hold of the other rack bar. This means comprises a pin 17, passing through alincd apertures in the side flanges of the rack bar 8, near the upper end of the lower panel said pin being projectable into a hole 18 near the lower end of the adjacent side of the rack bar 8- of-the upper panel, said pin and hole being in registry exactly at the time the ledges 14 and 15 interengage.

Said pin is provided with a collar 19, and is surrounded by a small spring 20, which is'crowded between said collar and a side of the said bar 8 so as normally to urge said pin to a retracted position out of engage.- ment with the upper panel. This retracted position, the pin 17 is able to assume only when the lower panel is at the lower limit of its range of travel, and this is made possible by the window frame having a stamped out tongue 21 or its equivalent as shown, affording a recess 22 into which the end of the pin may-project. The tongue functions as a cam in forcing the end of the pin into the hole 18, as the two panels move upwardly through the pull of the upperpanel upon the lower panel, through the interengagingiledges, so that when. the gear drive is relinquished by the upper panel, and "assumed by the lower pane the two panels areunited, and the lower panel becomes a pushing element, continuing the elevation of the upper anel if desired until the window 0 ening is entirely closed. It

thus appears t at by the present invention,

means have been devised for causing'the panels to emerge serially from their housing or pocket, and to progressively cover the window opening inthe order in which they emerge.

' When the window is opened, the order of operation is reversed, the panels descending as a unit by means of the pin 17, until the lower panel reaches the bottom of the housing, whereupon the slot 13 comes into the path of the gear 11, and gear actuation of the lower panel ceases. By this time the pin 17 will have come into the recess 22 and will have been retracted from the hole a 18 in the upper panel. By this time also the gear 10 will have taken hold of the rack bar 8 of the uppenpanel so that this panel now descends 'positivel and independently j of the lower panel. are is taken that the parts are so disposed that the pin 17 is released from the hole 18 by the time the-j upper panel reaches the bottom of the housing, otherwise jamming-of the parts might occur.

It is understood that all the operating parts heretofore described such as the twin gears, the rack bars, ledges, and pin interconnection, are duplicated on opposite sides of the window so that balanced faces are applied to the panels, and they move freely and without binding.

The means for operatlng the duplicate set of twin gears are shown in Figs. IV and V and consist of a transverse shaft 23 suitably mounted within the housing and connected to the twin gear shafts 12 by bevel vgear sets as shown. A suitable hand crank 24 is provided through which. motion is transmitted equally to the operating mcchanism on both sides. This may be located at any convenient point.

The device of this invention is equally appllcable to vehicle doors, windows and scribed, are not to be considered limitative in their bearing upon the invention, but are used only by way of example, the scope of the nventlon being commensurate with a liberal interpretation of the terms of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to claim and secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a window construction, upper and lower transparent panels, adapted to lie side by side when the window is open, operating means for raising said panels, said panels being provided with interengageable mean; at the sides, coacting when the lower edge of the upper panel is about to assume an inactive position with respect to said operatingvmeans, to draw said lower panel up to a point at which said lower panel becomes active with respect to said operating means, said operating means engaging the lateral edges of said upper panel but inactive toward said lower panel in the initial side by side position of said panels, and engaging the lateral edges of the lower panel when the two panels are inter-engaged.

2. In a window construction, upper and lower transparent panels, adapted to lie side by side when the window is open, operating means for raising said panels, said panels being provided with interengageable means at the sides, coacting when the lower edge of the upper panel is about to assume an inactive position with respect to said.operat ing means, to draw said lower panel up to a point at which said lower panel becomes active with respect to said operating means, and means for uniting said panels just prior to the shift in the application of said operating means from one panel to the other, said operating means engaging the lateral edges of said upper panel but inactive toward said lower panel in the initial side by side position of said panels, and engaging the lateral edges .of the lower panel when the two panels are inter-engaged.

, 3. In a window construction, a frame having side flanges, forming guiding channels for panels, upper and lower panels adapted to lie side by side in one end of said frame, operating means for raising said panels, said operating means being active toward said upper panel but inactive toward said lower panel, in the initial side by side position of said panels, said panels being provided with interengageable means, coacting when the lower edge of the upper panel is about to assume an inactive position with respect to said operating means, to draw said lower panel up to a point at which said lower panel becomes active with respect to said operating means, and means for uniting said panels just prior to the shift in the application of said operating means from one panel-to the other, comprisinga pin in the one panel, and a seat therefor in the other, a sprlng associated with said pin for maintaining 'it normally retracted, said frame having a flange thereof, adjacent said pin formed with an offset portion, forming a recess permitting unimpeded retraction of said pin, said offset portion acting as a cam when said pin carrying panel is raised further; to depress said pin into its seat, said flange above said offset portion functioning to be inert to said other gear, in the initial side by side position of said panels, the upper panel bein constructed to coact with the lower panel when the upper rack is-about to run off of its operating gear, to draw said lower rack into mesh with its operating gear.

5. In a window construction, upper and lower panels adapted to lie side by side when the window is open, racks at the ends of said panels, operating means on. said panels including gears, unitarily related, one of said gears'meshing with said upper rack, but the lower rack being constructed so as to be inert to said other gear, in the initial side by side position of said panels, the upper panel being constructed to coact with the lower panel when the upper rack is about to run off of its operating gear, to draw said lower rack into mesh with its operating gear, and means for uniting said panels just prior to the shift inthe application of said operating means from one rack to the other.

6. In a window construction, a frame, a housing into which the lower part of said frame extends, upper and lower panels adapted to lie side by side within said housing, and to be extended to cover the exposed part of said frame, racks on the ends of said panels, operating means on said panels including gears, unitarily related, and disposed within said housing, one of said gears meshing with said upper rack, but the lower rack being constructed so as to be inert to said other gear, in the initial 'sideby side position of said panels, the upper panel being constructed to coact with the lower panel when the upper rack is about to run off of its operating gear, to draw said lower rack into mesh with its operating gear.

7. In a window construction, a fra1ne,'ahousing into which the lowerpartof said frame extends, upper and lower panels adapted to lie side by sidewithin said housing,and to be extended to cover the exposed part of said frame, racks on the ends of said panels, operating means on said panels including gears, unitarily related, and disposed within said housing, one of said gears meshing with said upper rack, but the lower rack being constructed so as to be inert to said other gear, in the initial side by side position of said panels, the u per panel being constructed to coact with the lower panel when the upper rack is about to run off of its operating gear, to draw said lower rack into mesh with its operating gear, normally inactive means carried by one panel for uniting said panels just prior to the shift in the application of said operating means from one rack to the other, said frame being constructed to actuate said means through move ment of said panel.

8. In a window construction, a frame, upper and lower panels adapted in an initial position to lie side by side adjacent one end of said frame, channelled racks receiving the ends of said panels, operating means for said panels including gears unitarily related, one of said gears meshing with said upper rack, but the lower rack being constructed so as to be inert to said other gear in the initial side by side position of said panels, the upper panel being constructed to coact with the lower panel when the upper rack is about to run off of its operating gear, to

- draw said lower rack into mesh with its operating gear, means for uniting said panels just prior to the shift in the application of said operating means from one rack tothe other'including a pin carried by one panel and a recess in the other for receiving said pin, the latter bein mounted transvers ly within the channel 0 a a rack, and projecting through apertures in the opposite sides of said channel, said pin being provided with an abutment, a spring acting between a side of the channel and said abutment for biasing said pin in a retracted direction, relative to said recess, the window frame having an offset portion forming a recess at that point in said frame where the pin is, just before the shift of the operating means occurs from one rack to the other, said offset portion constituting a cam for facing said pin into said recess, upon further movement of sa1d panels.

side by side position, means for successively engaging the edges of each of said panels, extending said panels, and means for connecting said panels causing the shift of application of said extending means from one panel to the other.

11. In a window construction, a frame, upper and lower transparent panels, having an initial side by side position, toward one vend of the frame, means engaging the edges panels and advancing each of said panels successively and shifting said engagement from one panel to the other, and means for locking the top and bottom edges'of said panels together, whereby the panel first advanced is, after said shift, advanced by and with the panel next engaged by said actuating means.

13. As a closing means for an opening', a plurality of sliding panels, ways for supporting the same side by side, means for engaging and advancing each of said panels successively and shifting said engagement from one panel to the other, means in the form of a sliding spring retracted cat-ch, and means adjacent the path of the panels for actuating said catch for locking the edges of said panels, which are ad acent in the closed position of said panels together, whereby the panel first advanced is, after said shift, advanced by and with the panel next engaged by said actuating 9. In a window construction, upper andwmeans.

lower panels, adapted to have an initial side by side position, racks at the ends of said panels, operating means for said panels including gears initially related, one of said gears meshin with said upper rack, but the lower rack eing constructed so as to be inert to said other gear in the initial side by side position of said panels, one of said panels being constructed to coact with the other when the upper rack is about to run off of its operating gear, to draw said lower rack into mesh with itsoperatmg gear, means for uniting said panels, said means being normally inactive, and means for actuating said uniting means to unite said panels during the period when the upper panel is in drawing relation to the lower.

10. In a-window construction, upper and lower transparent panels having an initial 14. As a closing means for an opening, a plurality of transparent panels, parallel ways on which the panels are slidably mounted so that one is permitted to substantially overlie the other, actuating means engaging the side edges of each of said panels for advancing said panels successively, interlocking means at the top and bottom edges of the panels whereby the panel first advanced brings the next panel into engagement with its actuating means, and means for lockin the panels together in extended relation w ereby the second panel and its actuating means further advance the panel first actuated.

15. As a closing means for an opening, a plurality of panels, parallel ways on which the panels are slidably mounted so that one is permitted to substantially overlie the other, actuating means for advancing said for actuating said catch, for locking the panels successively, interlocking means at panels together in extended relation wherethe edges of the panels whereby the panel by the second panel and its actuating means first advanced brings the next pane] into further advance the panel first actuated.

I engagement with its actuating means, means Signed by me at Baltimore, Maryland,

in the form of a sliding sprin retracted this 8th day of January, 1927. A

catch, means adjacent the path 0 the panels FRANK G. KITCHIN. 

